- Purfleet
infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Purfleet
map_type=Greater London
latitude= 51.4750
longitude=0.2400
unitary_england=Thurrock
lieutenancy_england=Essex
region= East of England
constituency_westminster= Thurrock
post_town= PURFLEET
postcode_district= RM19
postcode_area=RM
dial_code= 01708
os_grid_reference=TQ555775
population=Purfleet is a place in the
Thurrock unitary authority inEngland . It is situated south of theA13 road on theRiver Thames and within the easterly bounds of theM25 motorway but just outside theGreater London boundary. There is some industry to the south and the area forms part of theThames Gateway redevelopment area. Purfleet is one of seven conservation areas in Thurrock [ [http://www.thurrock.gov.uk/planning/environment/content.php?page=conservation_consult Thurrock Council | Natural & Historic Environment | Conservation Areas In Th ] ] .It was listed by theMinistry of Food as an A-bomb target in the 1950's [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7382750.stm BBC NEWS | UK | Nuclear threat sparked tea worry ] ]In the 18th century, Purfleet was the location for the storage of gunpowder together with a garrison to protect it. This is now the Purfleet Garrison Heritage and Military Centre.
In March, 1916, anti-aircraft gunners based at Purfleet shot down the German Zeppelin LZ15 - a first. As a result the gunners received a prize from the
Lord Mayor of London [ [http://www.thurrock.gov.uk/heritage/content.php?page=parish_facts_details&id=2 Thurrock Council | Thurrock Heritage | Parish Facts ] ] .Purfleet has been the home of, Flora, Bertolli, Stork and ICBINB!
margarine works (formerly Van den Berghs & Jurgens, nowUnilever ) since 1917, reputed to be the largest in the world.From 1921 to 1936, Purfleet formed an
urban district ofEssex including the parishes ofAveley ,West Thurrock andSouth Ockendon . It covered an area of 8,900 acres and in 1931 had a population of 8,511. The parishes and urban district were abolished in 1936 and their former area was used to form part ofThurrock Urban District .Nearest places:
*
Aveley
* Wennington
*West Thurrock Nearest stations:
*
Purfleet railway station Notes
External links
* [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10108160&c_id=10001043 Historic boundaries of Purlfeet - A Vision of Britain]
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